More on environment

WHITE PLAINS — The state attorney general wants federal regulators to take enforcement action against the Indian Point nuclear plant for what he called the company's failure to comply with fire safety requirements.

"In the wake of Japan's crisis, our country's nuclear facilities should be bolstering their safety measures, yet Indian Point is looking to weaken its precautionary measures," Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Monday.

"It is absolutely essential for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to compel the facility to comply with all fire safety measures."

Schneiderman filed a lawsuit last month to force the NRC to study the impact of storing spent nuclear fuel on site; he said Monday's petition was filed to promote transparent reviews of the nuclear plant prior to a decision on extending its operating license through 2035.

NRC officials say Indian Point continues to be safely operated.

Ex-Assemblyman Richard Brodsky unsuccessfully pushed a case similar to Schneiderman's in 2009.

Schneiderman said Indian Point sought more than 100 exemptions from fire safety regulations, such as how long fire-retardant materials should be required to work.

Plant officials said they have sought 33 exemptions from the NRC for the two nuclear reactors, something that is not unusual in the industry.

"Exemptions are filed and ultimately approved only after demonstrating a minimum capability to ensure appropriate fire protection," Indian Point spokesman Jim Steets said.

Also on Monday, two seismologists from Columbia University told Westchester County lawmakers that an earthquake could happen near the plant, but the likelihood of a tsunami like the one that damaged backup power at Fukushima was almost nil.

"I am not alarmed; I'd say I'm concerned," said veteran earthquake researcher John Armbruster. "I'm not asking that (Indian Point) be shut down. More modern study needs to be done."